Climate Control Panel With Non-Planar Display

ABSTRACT

A control panel includes a current altering device for control of peripheral devices and a display having a first segment, second segment and third segment and the first and second segments are not located in the same plane. The display includes at least one touch sensitive segment to operate a peripheral control function. The display includes alphanumeric display areas adjacent to first and second segments. In an embodiment the display may have an arc shape and the first segment is located at an apex of the arc of the display in a first plane and a second segment is located in a second plane.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/097,430 filed on Dec. 5, 2013, which in turn related to and claimedpriority benefits from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.61/733,558 having a filing date of Dec. 5, 2012. The present applicationexpressly claims priority benefits from the '558 provisionalapplication. The '430 non-provisional application and the '558provisional application are each hereby incorporated by reference hereinin its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a control such as a thermostat, otherhousehold control, automotive control or manufacturing equipment controland the use of a non-planar display screen for such controls.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is common for controls to have LCD or LED display monitors comprisedof planar rigid layers of glass and display layers including plasmadisplay technology. Such display screens include touch sensitivedisplays where a user may place his or her finger on the glass surfaceto activate the controls and manipulate the functioning of the devicesto which the control is connected electronically. The present inventionimproves upon such controls by incorporating a flex display, such as anelectronic paper display technology; for example, a roll-up screenmanufactured by LG Displays Corp.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a control comprising a housing includingcircuitry and electronic components for control of a peripheral device,the circuitry controlling at least one current altering device for thecontrol of the peripheral device, a display mounted on the housingconnected to the circuitry via a current carrying bridge member and thedisplay having a first segment, second segment and third segment whereinthe first and second segments are not located in the same plane. In anembodiment the display may have an arc shape and is attached to thehousing adjacent to each side of the housing. In an embodiment the firstsegment and the third segment are located in the same plane. In anembodiment the first segment and third segment may be located indifferent planes.

In an embodiment the invention includes a housing having an opening forreceiving the display and the opening formed in a first plane and atleast one of the first, second and third segments extend externallybeyond the first plane of the housing. In an embodiment at least one ofthe first, second and third segments extend to an exterior edge of thehousing. In an embodiment at least one of the first, second and thirdsegments extend internally into the housing. In an embodiment thecurrent altering device is located externally to the housing. In anembodiment the current altering device may include a relay thatinterrupts the current to the peripheral device. In an embodiment thecurrent altering device is a digital signal controller. In an embodimentthe current altering device is a radio transmitter.

In an embodiment the first segment of the display includes at least onetouch sensitive segment to operate at least one peripheral function ofheat, cool, fan, temperature, time, ventilation, and humidity. In anembodiment the first segment of the display includes at least one touchsensitive segment to operate at least one peripheral control function ofthe non-English equivalent translation of heat, cool, fan, temperature,time, ventilation, and humidity. In an embodiment the first segment ofthe display includes at least one touch sensitive segment connected tothe current altering device to operate at least one peripheral controlfunction of an icon equivalent of heat, cool, fan, temperature, time,ventilation, and humidity.

In an embodiment the first segment is a touch sensitive area and thesecond segment includes an alphanumeric display area located adjacent tothe first segment. In an embodiment the peripheral device includes atleast one of a heat pump, air conditioner, furnace, boiler, humidifierand ventilation damper. In an embodiment the control is a thermostat.

In an embodiment the display has a non-planar shape and forms in partone of an arc, convex arc, concave arc, cube, octahedron, pentagonalprism, pyramid, tetrahedron, triangular prism, truncated pyramid,stairs, uneven stairs, cone, mushroom shape. In an embodiment thedisplay has an arc shape and the first segment is located at an apex ofthe arc of the display in a first plane and the first segment is locatedadjacent to the second segment in a second plane and near a side edge ofthe housing. A first segment is located in the first plane and a secondtouch segment is located in the second plane. In an embodiment thehousing includes an arc shaped frame member to support the display.

The invention further comprises a thermostat control comprising ahousing for containing circuitry and electronic components for controlof a peripheral device, the circuitry controlling at least one currentaltering device for control of the peripheral device, a display mountedon the housing, the display having a bridge for connecting thecircuitry, the display including a first segment and a second segmentand the display disposed in a non-planar shape and configured so theuser interaction with the control in order to activate at least thefirst and second segments is configured wherein at least one X-axismovement by a user's hand is required during operation of the controls.In an embodiment the housing includes a face that defines an X-axis anda Y-axis, and the Z-axis that is defined by a line extendingperpendicularly through the face of the housing so that theperpendicular line extends upward out of the face of the housing anddownward through the back of the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will beapparent in the following detailed description read in conjunction withthe following drawing figures.

FIG. 1a is a flow diagram depicting the present invention.

FIG. 1b is a perspective view the control of the present invention.

FIG. 2a is a perspective view of the control of FIG. 1 with the coverremoved.

FIG. 2b is a perspective view of the invention depicting an alternateembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the display of an alternate embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 4a and b are a side view and a perspective view and an alternateembodiment of the display invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representations of alternative embodiments of thedisplays of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the control of an alternative embodimentof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT(S)

FIG. 1a depicts a diagram of the present invention wherein the control100 is depicted including the display 10 including the touchpad areas 13which are connected through signal lines to microprocessor 14 which arein turn controlled by switches 20 and the microprocessor is linked tothe HVAC system control relay 21 via signal lines. The control relays 21are linked to peripheral devices 30 such as a furnace, boiler, airconditioner, humidifier, fan or ventilation damper. The switches 1 and 2operate the HVAC system control relays 21 and are controlled bymicroprocessor 14 which is linked to the display in order to providefeedback and alter the alphanumeric icons on the display 10.

Turning to FIG. 1 b, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosedwhere a thermostat 100 includes a clam shell type design with an upperhousing 105 and lower housing 110 or base. Display 120 is shown having aslight curvature protruding from the upper panel 105. The display 120(similar to other non-flexible displays) includes means for displayingalphanumeric characters and touch sensitive areas to provide means foran operator to use fingertips or pointing device to control functions ofthe electronics. In an embodiment, the display 120 may include a liquidcrystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor (TFT)-LCD, an organicLight-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display, a three-dimensional(3D) display or a transparent display. A display and electronicstherefor may be provided, such as disclosed by LG Electronics in U.S.patent application publication No. 2012/0329528, that is incorporatedherein by reference. The display, in this embodiment, includes icons foroperation of the thermostats functions such as fan, such as touchpad125. Numeric Icon 127 depicts a numeric icon as a control parameter forexample, the temperature. In an embodiment, the display 120 includestouch sensitive capability and the operation of the thermostat 100 isperformed by touch pads 125 for example, to operate the fan mode. Theother touch pads on the display screen are also operative to control thethermostat 100. As well, mechanical button 130 provides for operation ofthe thermostat either in combination with the touch pads on the display120 or independently.

Turning to FIG. 2a the thermostat 100 depicted in FIG. 1 is illustratedhaving the upper cover 105 removed. With the upper cover 105 removed,the base 110 is depicted having a printed circuit board 200 exposedtherein. Components are mounted on the printed circuit board 200, suchas mechanical receptors 210, 212 upon which the mechanical button 130(FIG. 1) is mounted in order to operate up and down inputs for thecontrol of the thermostat 100. Other components such as current alteringdevices including a relay 21 or series of relays that control current toperipheral devices 30 such as a heat pump, air conditioner, furnace,boiler, humidifier, or ventilation damper (FIG. 1a ). The relay 21 (FIG.2a ) may interrupt current, decrease current or increase currentaccording to input from the microprocessor 14.

The flex display 120 is shown being connected to the printed circuitboard 200 via connection bridge 220. The flex display screen 120 has afirst end 221 and a second end 222. The display has an arc shape thatplaces numeric icon 127 at the apex in plane X₁. The numeric icon 127may be located within a first segment 131 of the display that residessubstantially in a first plane X₁. The first segment 131 may includetouch sensitive circuitry. A second segment 132 resides substantially ina second plane X₂ and includes touch pad buttons 125 a “CLEAN” and 125 b“CONFIG.” A third segment 133 also resides substantially in a secondplane X₂ and includes touch sensitive buttons 125 c “SYSTEM” and 125“FAN.”

The flex display 120 connects to the printed circuit board so that thefirst end 221 is tethered to the printed circuit board 220. In anembodiment, the second end 222 of the flex display 120 is loose. Usingan operator's fingers grabbing the second end 222, the flex display 120can be pivoted and moved away from the face of the thermostat in orderto manipulate the flex display 120. In an embodiment, other means ofattaching the flex display 222 to the housing may be implemented such asattachment using adhesive for capturing the ends and edges 221, 222 orby using slots formed in the upper housing 105 or the display may beconstrained by other means.

In an embodiment, both ends 221 and 222 of the display 120 may besecured to the housing of the thermostat 100. As depicted in FIG. 2b ,the flex display 120 is shaped having a slight radius. This embodimentwould enable a user of the thermostat 100 to view the display frommultiple angles. If viewing from a side away from the center of thethermostat, the curvature of the display 120 may allow for improvedviewing of the display. The display depicted in FIGS. 1b and 2 a, bincludes a clear base. However, in alternate embodiments, the base maynot be clear. As well, the display may be backlit in an embodiment or inother embodiments, no backlighting is necessary. Other shapes of theflex display will be discussed below, including flex displays havingmultiple radiuses and curvatures.

FIG. 2b depicts a perspective view of the present invention which issimilar to that depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 a. The display 120 is formedin an arc shape and maintains that form due to a frame 230 providedbeneath the display 120. The frame may be formed of a polymer materialand be formed in any of the myriad of shapes including those depicted inthe following figures.

By placing the frame 230 under the display 120 it provides a ridgedbackstop to support the display 120 in the desired form. Adhesives maybe used to attach the display 120 to the frame 230. Alternateembodiments of attaching the display 120 to the frame 230 may also beused. The frame 230 may likewise be attached the printed circuit board200 via known means such as adhesives and fasteners. Thus it isunderstood that the display 120 is flexible and may have undesiredmovement in its arc shape; but when the frame 230 is placed under thedisplay 120 it maintains the arc shape and when a user depresses thedisplay 120 with his or her fingertip, the display 120 will not movedownward away from the user's fingertip and the frame 230 will maintainthe display in the desired non-planar orientation. The display 120 willbe maintained in a static shape according to the shape of the frame 230.

In an embodiment the frame 230 may incorporate components of the printedcircuit board 200 and in some instances the printed circuit board maycomprise the frame 230. For example, with respect to FIG. 3 below, thecube shape of the display 120 a may be maintained by a cube shaped frame230 formed within and the display 120 a itself and may have thecomponentry and circuitry of the printed circuit board so that thedisplay itself defines the entire electronic component where the display120 a forms the exterior of the electronic component. In an alternateembodiment, the cube of FIG. 3 may be mounted to a printed circuit boardand the frame 230 contained within the cube shaped display 120 a may bemounted to that printed circuit board.

By manipulating the flex display 120 into different shapes duringmanufacture of the control, the user interaction with the control may beenhanced and allow for better interaction and viewing capability withthe display screen 120. For example, the flex display 120 when beingprepared in the factory may be set in position to have an “S” shape. Thefirst end 221 can extend generally parallel to the printed circuit board200 and at a mid-point, the flex screen may be turned at a 90°. anglefrom the printed circuit board 200 and at a further point along the flexscreen 120 an additional 90°. bend may be made to the material andfurther along, an additional 90°. bend may be made to the material untilthe second end 222 extends out and away from the face of the thermostat100, so that the entire display 120 forms the shape of an “S”. In thisway, specific surfaces of the display screen will be facing a user whois looking at the side of the control 100 and other surfaces of thedisplay will be out of view and facing away from the viewer.

By having surfaces of the display that are both visible and not visibleto the user, placement of buttons or icons at certain areas on thedisplay may help to enhance user interaction with certain types ofcontrols. For example, by placing display icons in non-visible locationsand touch pad icons in visible locations, the user may be required tomanipulate the control 100 in order to complete operations and alternatebetween visible and non-visible surfaces of the flex display 120.Depending on the device being controlled and the actual configuration ofthe control 100, these surfaces of the flex display may increasesecurity and help require more precise user inputs to confirm operationof the control. While the control depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 is for athermostat, the present invention may be applied to all types ofcontrols, including mobile devices such as, cell phones, smart phones,personal digital assistants and remote control devices for residentialor manufacturing use and automotive displays.

Turning to FIG. 3 an alternative embodiment of the present invention isshown where the flex display 120 a has been manipulated and shaped in acube form. The base 100 a may support a printed circuit board thereinwhich may be connected via a bridge, such as discussed above, to theflex display 120 a. A frame (not shown) having a cube shape may extendfrom the PCB to support the display 120 a.

The flex display may include icons 125 a indicating buttons to beoperated for the control and numeric icon 127 a such as, a roomtemperature 72°. Fahrenheit. In an embodiment, the flex display 120 amay have only display capabilities and mechanical buttons linked to themicroprocessor (not shown) may operate the device. In an alternateembodiment, the flex display 120 a may have touch sensitive areas andthe button icons 125 a may be operated by touching in the touchsensitive area designated by the rectangle surrounding button icon 125a. Likewise, the numeric icon area 127 a may include touch sensitiveregions which may allow for interaction by a user. In an alternativeembodiment, flex display 120 a may be a flex display on one or moresides and other sides may use non-flexible displays or touchscreens.

FIG. 4a is a side elevation view and FIG. 4b is a perspective view of analternate embodiment of the invention. The flex display 120 b in FIG.4a, b is formed in a conical shape. The buttons 125 b extend partiallyaround the circumference of the conical portion 120 b of the display.Users may view the buttons 125 b (e.g. “PROG”) and numeric icon 127 bfrom multiple angles. This may improve the user interaction and lead tomany benefits for the operation and control of devices linked to thedisplay 120 b. For example, if the flex display of FIG. 4 is mounted ona dashboard of an automobile, a user may more easily locate thatspecific control by recognizing the shape of the control with the user'sfingers; without taking the user's eyes off the road. Such shaped flexdisplay components 120 b may be used for other types of equipment suchas, manufacturing machines and on other mobile devices.

FIG. 4b depicts a perspective view of the bottom of an alternateembodiment of the control having a base 100 b into which the printedcircuit board and other components may be mounted or attached. The flexdisplay area 120 b includes icons or touch sensitive areas such asnumeric icon 127 b where the numeric display of 72°. is depicted (FIG.4a ). A further alternate embodiment is depicted in FIG. 4b showing theunderside of the flex display 120 c mounted on the base 100 b having aconnection wire 128 extending from the base 100 b.

It is intended by the present invention that the flex display may havemultiple shapes that may have uses in many different applications. Forexample, FIG. 5 depicts other shapes to which the flex display may beformed and applied in different applications. The shapes depicted inFIG. 5 include a cube, fridge, octahedron, simple fridge (HL), openfridge, pentagonal prism, pyramid, pyramid 2, stairs, tetrahedron 2,triangular prism, symphony hall, special shape, symphony hall (HL),truncated pyramid, tetrahedron, table or uneven stairs. Other shapes notdepicted in FIG. 5 are also incorporated into the present invention forwhich the flex display may be shaped for uses and other types of controlapplications. By providing surfaces in different orientations of theflex display, users may interact differently with certain parts of thedisplay and their inputs may be more intuitively controlled by thesoftware of the control system. In particularly, the use of a non-planardisplay provides for user interactions in the Z-axis. For example,turning to FIG. 1 the X-, Y- and Z-axes are depicted where X representsmovement of a user's hand along the upper surface of the control movingfrom bottom to top of the housing 105. The Y-axis represents movement ofa user's hand from left to right across the face of the housing 105. TheZ-axis is movement out of the page, e.g. elevated above the face of thehousing 125 and display 120. So by forming the display 120 in modifiednon-planar shapes, a user's interaction will require more Z-axismovements and touches and different elevations to enhance userinteractions. As well, where the display includes photographs or videos,the alternate display surfaces of the shaped flex display can producemore interesting and eye catching user interactions which may be used tomore intuitively interact with the user in order to guide through thecontrol process more easily.

Turning to FIG. 6, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosedwhere a thermostat 300 includes an edge to edge design with an upperdisplay 305 and lower housing 310 or base. Display 230 is shown having acurvature protruding from lower housing 310. The display 305 includesmeans for displaying alphanumeric characters and touch sensitive areasto provide means for an operator to use fingertips to control functionsof the electronics. The display, in this embodiment, includes icons foroperation of the thermostats functions such as fan, such as touchpad225. Numeric Icon 227 depicts a numeric icon as a control parameter forexample, the temperature. In an embodiment, the display 305 includestouch sensitive capability and the operation of the thermostat 300 isperformed by touch pads 225 for example, to operate the fan mode. Theother touch pads on the display screen are also operative to control thethermostat 300. This display 305 has touchpads 225 that reside in adifferent plane as compared to the numeric icon 227 (as discussedpreviously with respect to FIG. 2 a.

The present invention has been described in terms of preferredembodiments. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that thepresent invention may be embodied in others specific forms withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention disclosed and that examples inembodiments described herein are in all respects illustrative and notrestrictive. Those skilled in the art of the present invention willrecognize that other embodiments using the concepts described herein areall also possible. Further, any reference to the claim elements in thesingular, for example using articles a, and, or, the, is not to beconstrued as limiting the element to the singular.

What is claimed is:
 1. A control panel comprising: a housing comprisingcircuitry and electronic components for control of a peripheral device,the housing comprising a face that defines an X-axis and Y-axis defininga first plane, and a Z-axis defining a line extending perpendicularlythrough the first plane of the housing, whereby the perpendicular lineextends upward out of the first plane of the housing and downwardthrough the back of the housing, the circuitry controlling at least onecurrent altering device for control of the peripheral device; a displaypanel formed in an arc or other non-planar shape, the display panelhaving at least one point secured by the housing, the display panelconnected to the circuitry via a current carrying bridge member, thedisplay panel moveable in the Z-direction such that the display panelcan be fitted into the housing such that discrete surfaces of thedisplay panel will be visible to a user when viewed from the side of thecontrol panel and other surfaces will be out of view of the user, thedisplay panel having a first segment and second segment, the firstsegment of the display comprising at least a first touch sensitive areaconnected to the current altering device to adjust a peripheral controlfunction of at least one of heat, cool, fan, temperature, time,ventilation and humidity, the second segment of the display comprisingat least one alphanumeric icon; wherein the first and second segmentsare oriented out of the first plane and in different locations on thedisplay panel with respect to the X-axis and Y-axis.
 2. The controlpanel of claim 1, wherein the display panel is formed in an arc and eachof the first and second segments is substantially arc shaped incross-section and having a vertex formed by the arc shape.
 3. Thecontrol panel of claim 1, wherein the first segment comprises functioncontrol buttons, the first segment comprising a discrete display areawith respect to the second segment, the second segment oriented abovethe first segment in a substantially different plane along the Z-axis.4. The control panel of claim 1, wherein the display panel is formed inan arc and the first and second segments are located in differentplanes.
 5. The control panel of claim 1, wherein the housing has anopening formed therein for receiving the display panel, the openingformed in the first plane, at least one of the first and secondextending out of the first plane of the housing.
 6. The control panel ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second segments extendsto an exterior edge of the housing.
 7. The control panel of claim 1,wherein at least one of the first and second segments extends internallywith respect to the housing.
 8. The control panel of claim 1, whereinthe current altering device is located externally with respect to thehousing.
 9. The control panel of claim 1, wherein the current alteringdevice comprises a relay that interrupts the current to the peripheraldevice.
 10. The control panel of claim 1, wherein the first segmentcomprises a touch sensitive area and the second segment comprises analphanumeric display area located adjacent the first segment.
 11. Thecontrol panel of claim 1 wherein the peripheral device comprises one ofa heat pump, air conditioner, furnace, boiler, humidifier, fan andventilation damper.
 12. The control panel of claim 1, wherein thedisplay is formed in a non-planar shape and forms one of a concave arc,convex arc, cube, octahedron, pentagonal prism, pyramid, tetrahedron,triangular prism, truncated pyramid, stairs, cone, and mushroom shape.13. The control panel of claim 1, wherein the control panel furthercomprises a frame member for supporting the display panel, the framemember attached to the circuitry.
 14. A thermostat comprising thecontrol panel of claim
 1. 15. The thermostat of claim 14, wherein thefirst and second segments on the display panel are formed in anon-planar shape such that a user's hand can adjust the operation of thecontrol panel at least along the Z-axis, whereby the control functionsare adjustable by touching the first and second segments.
 16. Thethermostat of claim 14, wherein the display panel is a flexible displaypanel supported by the housing to attain the desired shape.
 17. Thethermostat of claim 14, wherein the display panel is supported by aframe connected to the circuitry.
 18. A method of assembling a controlpanel, the method comprising the steps of: providing a housing havingcircuitry comprising at least one current altering device; forming aflexible display panel in a non-planar shape, the flexible display panelcomprising a first segment and-a second segment, each segment comprisingfunctionality for adjusting the control panel; attaching a first end ofthe flexible display panel to the circuitry via a bridge member;manipulating the flexible display panel in the Z-direction to orient theflexible display panel in a desired shape such that discrete surfaces ofthe display panel will be visible to a user when viewed from the side ofthe control panel and other surfaces will be out of view, and such thatthe first segment is located substantially in a first plane and thesecond segment is located substantially in a second plane; and securingthe flexible display panel to the housing in order to maintain theflexible display in the desired shape, wherein the first and secondsegments are oriented to adjust the control functions by touching thefirst and second segments.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein each ofthe first and second segments comprises a touch sensitive pad foroperation of the control.